Risk Assessment of Arsenic Exposure by Chinese Materia Medica in Chinese Population / 中国中医药信息杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To analyze the intake of arsenic in Chinese materia medica by Chinese population; To assess its health risk. Methods Totally 2056 Chinese materia medica samples were collected from representative manufacturers and markets in China from 2008 to 2016 and their arsenic contents were detected. The consumption data of Chinese materia medica were collected among population aged 18 and above from 5739 individuals by face to face questionnaire surveys in 5 provinces (Heilongjiang, Liaoning, Jiangxi, Guizhou and Gansu) with the method of multistage stratified random sampling. A deterministic estimate was used to assess the exposure of arsenic by Chinese materia medica. At the same time, the Chinese standard limit of arsenic in Chinese materia medica was used to do the theory assessment. Results The average concentration of arsenic in Chinese materia medica was 0.81 mg/kg. The residue level of arsenic in animal Chinese materia medica (average concentration 3.29 mg/kg) was higher than that in medicinal plants (average concentration 0.71 mg/kg). The consumption data showed that average intake of Chinese materia medica as medicines was 207 g, and P95was 540 g; the average intake of Chinese herbals as medicinal food was 43 g, and P95was 500 g. The assessment using arsenic content data showed that common use of Chinese materia medica had low level of risk. However, the population with chronic and high consumption of Chinese materia medica as medicine or as food had certain level of health risk. Arsenic content in animal herbals was about 5 times higher than that of medicinal plants. But according to the consumption, the risk was not higher than that of medicinal plants. The assessment using the standard limit of arsenic (2 mg/kg) in herbals showed that recent standard could protect most people, but risk remained in those with chronic consumption of Chinese materia medica as medicineand high consumption of Chinese materia medica as medicinal food. Conclusion The current standard limit of arsenic (2 mg/kg) in Chinese materia medica is appropriate. The health risk of arsenic exposure from Chinese materia medica among Chinese population is at a low level, but those with chronic and high Chinese materia medica consumption need more attention.